This week the House of Representatives passed a bill that would preserve a land trust for a Massachusetts Tribe, the Mashpee Wampanoag. This bipartisan bill, H.R. 312, has progressed to the Senate for approval. The bill would preserve the tribe’s right to control 312 acres of land, rights that were protected by the Obama Administration in 2015.

From a statement by the tribe:

“The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s citizens are currently suffering a massive loss of resources and services due to the uncertainty of the trust status of the Reservation. Millions of dollars of funding are being lost or delayed for our clean water program, our children’s education through our Mukayuhsak Weekuw immersion pre-school and kindergarten and critical community service programs. It’s also a direct threat to our emergency services, housing and substance abuse program that’s desperately needed to combat the opioid epidemic. These are just a few of the ways this negative ruling is impacting our community and our children. Please consider ways that you can help correct this injustice.“

Trump and the Dept. of the Interior have recently moved to nullify the tribe’s rights. In response, House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle drafted and passed H.R. 312 to restore the land trust. H.R. 312 provides continued economic stability and self-governance to the Massachusetts-based tribe who welcomed pilgrims into this country.

It’s the weekend, but please call or email Senate lawmakers with this important message of support. You can leave voicemail for lawmakers’ staff to document when they return to offices on Monday. Be sure to include your name and city/zip in your message so they can identify you when you leave a voicemail message. Or you may prefer to email your MOCs; please customize email messages to convey your own thoughts.

SCRIPT/SUGGESTED THOUGHTS:

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I am calling to express support for H.R. 312, the Washpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act. We need to protect the rights of indigenous people in this country, which are under renewed attack by the Trump Administration. Thank you.“

DON'T FORGET

SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE MEETING

At the Washington State Labor Council in the Central District, 321 16th Avenue. This meeting venue is wheelchair-accessible, and can be reached by King County Metro buses 7, 14, 27, and 106, and the First Hill Streetcar.